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Board advances resolution to explore transferring 10th Street field to borough after amendment
Summary
Board members debated and amended a resolution that would begin due diligence on transferring the BOE-owned 10th Street baseball field to the borough for turf and facility improvements; the amendment removed language characterizing the land as unnecessary for school purposes pending further study.
Board discussion focused on resolution 3b, which would authorize exploring a lease or other disposition of the BOE-owned 10th Street baseball field to the borough for facility improvements.
A board member moved to strike the resolution's second whereas clause — language stating the district had determined the property was not needed for school purposes — as premature until demographic and long-range facility planning work is completed. The motion was seconded and debated. A staff member explained the practical effect: the resolution does not itself convey property but "is essentially memorializing the board's intent to proceed," and that striking the clause would not prevent required future steps such as property surveys, demographic review and any state-level certification should a sale be proposed.
Some board members and members of the public urged moving the process forward to allow borough-led improvements; others said more due diligence was needed before any explicit finding that the land is not necessary for educational purposes. After discussion the board voted to amend the resolution (to remove the challenged whereas clause) and then moved to approve resolution 3b as amended.
Why it matters: Transferring school-owned land to a municipal government changes long-term public ownership and control of recreational resources. The board described the amendment as preserving the district's ability to study options while permitting further negotiations with the borough.
Next steps: The amended resolution directs the administration to pursue due diligence and continue discussions with municipal officials; any final conveyance would require additional approvals and, if applicable, state certification.
